With close to 150 people attending from both near and far, the Fayette County Education Fund is calling its first-ever New River Hummingbird Festival a smashing success. Hosted at ACE Adventure Resort in Minden, the Hummingbird Festival was designed not only to introduce people to the joys of feeding and watching the tiny summer residents, but also as an educational outreach program —  one of many to be hosted through the New River Birding and Nature Center at Wolf Creek Park.

“Our mission is to get information out to the public so that they know both the joys and whys of preserving our environment and the habitats we share with birds, mammals and plants,” Dave Pollard, Education Fund president, said.

“The overall vision is one which will take some time to come to fruition, but we have developed some exceptional programming and it is our intention to share it with the community on a monthly basis until we actually construct the Center at Wolf Creek Park.”

“Second Saturday” events will occur throughout the year, with the next scheduled for Sept. 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Wolf Creek Park. The tentative schedule calls for Nature Center consulting director Bill Hilton Jr. to do bird banding from 9 to noon, a wetlands education program from noon to 1 p.m. on the Wetlands Boardwalk, followed by a 1 to 3 p.m. nature walk on trails within the Wolf Creek development. Events are free and open to the public.

The Hummingbird Festival enabled 20 teachers and citizen scientists to receive certification in ruby-throated hummingbird protocols through the GLOBE hands-on science network; unveiled research Hilton has been conducting in both the U.S. and Central America; exposed visitors to information concerning hummingbird migration; and resulted in the banding of nearly 20 ruby-throats.

“This was an exceptional opportunity to view a hummingbird up close. Being able to view the unique banding process of such a small species was truly amazing,” said Susan Judy of Morgantown. “I have been studying hummingbirds for several years, but this was an excellent source of information.”

Charles Richardson, of Fayetteville, echoed the comments saying “this was a great learning experience. Anyone who took the opportunity to be here had to have learned a great deal, and it was fun.”

Visiting the area from Ballwin, Mo., Betty Arand added “this was great! I am so glad you were here while I was visiting.”

Jillian Oar, a seven-year-old from Daniels, wound up being one of several people who were able to hold hummingbirds in their hands to release them following the banding process. Her father, Paul, thanked organizers for what he dubbed “a great presentation, very interesting and informative, and a life-experience for my daughter.”

For more information on Second Saturday presentations, go to the Wolf Creek Park website at www.wolfcreekparkwv.com, or to the Facebook pages for Wolf Creek Park, WV and the New River Birding and Nature Festival.

Those without computer access can call Dave Pollard at 304-574-4258 during regular business hours.